Propecia for Hair Loss

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Propecia is the first and only FDA-approved pill proven to treat male pattern hair loss on the vertex (top of the head) and anterior mid-scalp area in men.

The fact is, for most men, Propecia works. The results of 2 years of testing speak  for themselves.*

•  5 out of 6 men kept the amount of hair they had (vs. 28% with a sugar pill).

•  2 out of 3 men grew back some of their lost hair (vs. 7% with a sugar pill).

Most men reported an increase in the amount of hair, a decrease in hair loss, and improvement in appearance.

And the vast majority of men on Propecia were rated by doctors as improved (80% vs. 47% with a sugar pill). 

*Based on vertex studies at 2 years of men 18 to 41 with mild to moderate hair loss. There is not evidence that Propecia works for receding hairlines at the temples.

Hair loss in men.

The most common form of balding is male pattern hair loss, representing close to 95% of all hair loss cases. 

Mild to moderate male pattern hair loss affects about half of men by age 50.

This type of hair loss results in receding hairline and/or balding at the crown. It is due to heredity, from either the mother’s or father’s side of the family, and is dependent on hormones.

DHT and hair loss.

DHT is one of many male hormones in the body. DHT is developmentally important early in a man’s life; however, it appears to be a cause of hair loss as men get older. DHT shrinks the hair follicle until it no longer produces visible hair.

Doctors believe that excess DHT is an apparent cause of hair loss.

The causes of hair loss are not well defined; however, researchers have found that men with male pattern hair loss have increased levels of DHT in the balding area of their scalps. 

Human hair normally follows a cycle of growth, falling out, and new growth. But increased levels of DHT are believed to contribute to the shortening of the growth phase, and a shortening of the time it takes for the hair to fall out. This results in a thinning of the hair on the scalp.

Propecia blocks the formation of DHT.

Science has found a way to affect DHT with a prescription taken once a day in tablet form: Propecia.

Finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia) blocks the formation of DHT and, in this way, appears to interrupt a key factor in the development of inherited male pattern hair loss in men. Propecia has been proven to effectively lower DHT in the scalp.

The most common side effects.

Clinical tests showed Propecia was very well tolerated. Only a very small number of men had some sexual side effects, with each occurring in less than  2% of men.

They included less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection, and a decrease in the amount of semen. When the men who had these side effects stopped taking Propecia because of them, the side effects went away.

Important safety information you should know.

Propecia is for men only. Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use Propecia because of the risk that the active ingredient may cause abnormalities of a male baby's sex organs. Likewise, they should avoid handling the tablets when they're crushed or broken. Propecia tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling.

When you should see results.

If you take Propecia daily you could see results in as little as 3 months. If you stop taking it, however, your results will gradually go away over 12 months. And if it hasn't worked in 12 months, it is unlikely to be of benefit.